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Post by Atticus Batman on Mar 21, 2018 11:14:30 GMT
Volodja Uljanov frowned before telling: "Lena. I would appreciate if you avoid calling my wife a bitch. Sandy. I know that you are a mature woman to cancel the verbal fight. Thank you for interference, Atticus. I would like to remind that the porridge should not be eaten as hot as it was made. I will lead an investigation on the topic right away and then I will tell what is my opinion about the situation. I promise to be as objective as possible. Sophie, dear. I need a favour."
I replied over the team EGO channel, "Interference in what? A verbal fight with Lena calling Sandy a bitch? Who doesn't Lena insult, and what the dak does porridge have to do with anything?! Dak! Do I need to start monitoring everybody's private EGO channels like our resident busy-body does, so that I know what the dak you are all talking about?! Volodja whatever it is, please try to handle it. We have our hands full in Engineering. However if Lena and Whitney can hurry up and get their pretty little asses down here, then perhaps that will help with some of the daking issues, and Attila figure out what Lena did on the Bridge to block Atlas from affecting the Synth sisters there! Then replicate it in Engineering, and then the rest of the ship!"
Not long after, Lena arrived to where the ship's AI chamber was located, walking through the outermost door and impatiently ushering me out saying, "I need room to work Boss-man."
Examining the inner door carefully and begrudgingly admiring Atticus' work so far in getting through the locks, although she would never admit it, Lena took out a small metal box from her utility belt and attached it to the inner door. Lena then promptly began work getting through the last three locking protocols getting through the first two fairly easily. Lena thought she had the third and last one figured out as well when suddenly dozens of red lasers from both the floor and the roof of the chambers cut diagonally into her body. Castithan blood began to spew from dozens of perfectly round wounds all over her body. None of the wounds were fatal or even permanently maiming, but the sudden loss of so much blood so quickly made her crumple unconscious to the floor like a rag doll, a look of disbelief on her chalk white face as her light blue eyes fluttered shut.
With eyes burning bright red, a hologram of Lexy the ship's small child AI appeared over Lena's body wagging her small forefinger at her saying with a chilling smile, "God will get you for that Walter."
Smelling burning flesh and fresh blood, I peaked back into the Antechamber right outside Lexy's inner-sanctum just as, with eyes burning bright red, a hologram of Lexy the ship's small child AI appeared over Lena's body wagging her small forefinger at her saying with a chilling smile, "God will get you for that Walter."
Seeing it, I snapped, "Dak it Lexy, must you make Lena a daking pin-cushion?!"
With that, Lexy glared at me, and the main door into the Antechamber slammed closed in my face. So I angrily punched the door and snapped, "Damn it little girl! Don't 'Get Smart' on me!"
Hearing that Lexy responded with, "I'm sorry 99 but I can't let you in!"
I sighed and took a deep breathe to calm down, then said, "Lexy you need to let me in to check on Lena!"
To witch Lexy responded with, "The new protective code says I can not let anybody in!"
Sighing again, I quit trying to argue with her and just hacked through the door protocols again. Once I was back in Lexy responded sarcastically with, "Oh it's you! Come on in!"
As I entered I jammed a throwing knife into the door right before Lexy tried slamming it shut again. So the door just kept hitting my knife as it kept trying to close.
Ignoring it, I surveyed all the lasers now active in the room until I got their pattern worked out. Then I methodically worked through them, having to stay low to the ground, until I got to Lena. Upon kneeling by and examining Lena and having my EGO (Dinara) verify it, I discovered that although Lena lost enough blood that she fell unconscious, she would live. Although she probably will not be happy with Lexy or Atlas when she regains consciousness.
However as she was still bleeding I had to get her out of there, but with the lasers not far above me, I couldn't just pick up and carry Lena out. So instead, I had to grab an arm and slowly drag her, stopping and adjusting our path as I went due to Lexy altering the lasers to try to stop me. As I worked my way through the antechamber, I said over the team EGO channel, "If somebody is in Medical, I need you to send a medic team to Lexy's chamber with a stretcher! We have an injury! Marcel you better come with the Medics! It was Lena! She is alive but unconscious. I am getting her out of Lexy's antechamber now. Atika, Attila come hold this daking door open so that I can get Lena out!"
Hearing that, the Constantines quickly came over to the door into Lexy's antechamber. Once I saw them arrive at the door, I stood and stepped into the doorway as it opened again. Then I braced my back against the door, and put one foot against the door jam to hold the door open completely. As soon as Attila realized what I was doing, he knelt down and grabbed Lena's arms. Then he pulled her out of the room. Once she was clear of the doorway, I stepped out as well. Then as the door resumed it's fight with my knife, Atika brought over a first-aid kit. Then we worked on stopping Lena's bleeding while we waited for Marcel to arrive with the Medics, knowing he would do so quickly as it was Lena that was injured.
As Atika and I did so, I once again contacted Marcel saying, "Lena is safe but still unconscious. Atika and I are bandaging her up now. So she will be ready for the Medics to load her on the stretcher and get her to the Infirmary by the time you arrive with them."
Then I said to Attila, "Did you manage to implement Lena's blocker in Engineering?"
Attila responded with, "Yes after a quick examination, it wasn't hard to figure out what she did and replicate it in Engineering. However it will take a little longer to adjust it to cover the whole ship."
I snapped, "You have 10 minutes!"
Attila nodded as he replied, "Well then I better get back to work"
Then after Attila went and looked at the security cams to see that Medics were on their way, he got back to work. This time focusing on implementing Lena's Synth-Protector program across the ship, before he could go back to work on anything else. |
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Post by Sandy Bell on Mar 21, 2018 12:48:44 GMT
As Sandy Uljanov walked down the corridors of the Vigilant with her husband towards the mess hall looking for their daughter, Sandy frowned after Volodja Uljanov informed her again of why the diabolical duo were Jalina's godparents and apologized to him, "I'm sorry Volo, I forgot you told me but now I remember. I guess this day - and Jalina's birth - has stressed me out more than I realized. Probably just need some rest, but Jesus Christ, there just isn't any time for that! I swear, I may not like Atticus but I'm sure glad he's here and in command and not me. He never seems to be stressed out. Angry, yeah, but not stressed out."
Spotting Jalina sitting alone in the Mess Hall, Sandy plopped into a chair next to her and with a sigh and a look of concern asked, "You okay Honey?"
Jalina looked up from the plate of french fries dipping one in ketchup before eating it slowly obviously seriously considering her answer to Sandy's question before saying, "I guess so. I was surprised and admitted a bit upset when I saw Godfather Marcel brutally torture that strange man but he must have had his reasons. I mean, Godfather Marcel seemed so nice when he introduced himself to me."
Sandy winced at Marcel being described as nice replying as she put an arm around Jalina's slim shoulders giving her a quick hug, "People are complex. You can't always tell what they are really like from first glance. Once you have a history with them, you get a much clearer picture about them. Until then, you should always be wary of people you don't know well yet."
The teenager giggled before sipping on her chocolate milk shake through a bendy-straw then replying, "I just remembered from your memories your mother saying, 'Beware of strangers Sandy' so I guess you are passing on your mom's message to me... but... everybody is a stranger unless I touch them and borrow their memories."
Sandy winced again before responding, "About that Honey, you need to stop doing that without asking a person permission first. As you know from my and your father's memories, people treasure their privacy and that includes their thoughts. Most people don't want someone poking around in their brain, just saying!"
A small frown crossed Jalina's chalk white face as she began to play with a curly brown lock of her long hair with one slim forefinger before asking, "But how will I find out about someone if I don't touch them?"
Sandy grinned before answering, "By doing what we are doing right now - talking to them and asking questions."
Jalina's face brightened as she asked excitedly, "Like when the man in the kitchen asked me what was wrong and I told him what I saw Godfather Marcel do and that what I saw upset me and he brought me what he called comfort food?"
"Yeah like that," Answered Sandy suddenly feeling incredibly old while also feeling too young to be a parent at the same time.
"But how do you know they are telling the truth?" Jalina questioned, her frown returning.
"Well, I guess you just have to trust them until they give you a reason not to," Answered Sandy her grin disappearing as she thought glumly to herself, "God, I sound like Belle."
*****
Attila Constantine had looked at the security cams again and seeing Wolfram Von Eschen still with Whitney, he contacted Wolfram via EGO saying, "Wolfram this is Attila. Can you please tell Whitney that we require her expertise with AIs and advanced electronics in Main Engineering?"
The Synth Sister Whitney briefly tilted her white haired head as if listening to a voice other than Wolfram while still watching Wolfram with intense ice blue eyes showing that she was considering every word Wolfram was telling her.
"...I was reminded that we need your Engineering skill as well but I believe that the most important part at moment is you and your well being, because we need you more than an Engineer. That brings us back to the machinery issue," Wolfram continued saying, "...It's not your fault that you have met only powerful men who treat everyone as their tools. You didn't had much choice of picking the environment and acquaintances. It takes two to waltz and they had a choice to treat you in a way you truly deserve. If they didn't, then it's their own fault that they lost you by mistreating you. That actually shows how pointless those men were. Except Herr Batman, because he is deeply in love with his wife and he also loves his family and there is only that much room in his heart, so it would be unfair to blame him. Damn, I need a drink. Mouth is getting dry."
Her blue eyes widened as her rose petal lips made a perfect "o" before interjecting with concern, "Oh no, I don't blame Commander Batman for rejecting my advances! I shouldn't have made them considering his loving relationship with his wife - although I didn't know about it at the time! Besides, I'm obviously not worthy of such a good man's love no matter how much I wish I was."
Whitney sighed a very human-like sigh before remarking sadly, "Just a damaged machine thinking its a real girl - kind of like a female Pinocchio."
Wolfram took a sip from his "medicine" bottle and didn't put it away because he was sure that he needs a sip or two more. Then he continued:
"Everything proves that you are a real girl not a machine. You posses a heart and you possess a soul. And you have feelings in your heart. And that makes you a human. Doesn't matter if that human is organic or synthetic, you and your sisters still are human beings. In the long row of humans I know, you are one of the best with your sweetness and innocence. I even admire your naivety because it is treasure in these cynical days. Risking to be a dirty old man from now on, I have to say that if I would have been your choice to be your first by your own choice, not someone's else's, then I would have been proud of being the one who was chosen to be worthy of having that once of the lifetime experience with you. I am terribly sorry for ruining everything for you. It's not your fault but mine. If I only had been stronger it wouldn't have happened, so you don't have to blame yourself but me."
Whitney's pretty porcelain doll face cracked in a smile before standing up, walking over to the old man and then bending over kissing him on his forehead before saying, "You are old but certainly not dirty considering most of your human brethren. As I explained earlier, I do not blame you for anything and so you shouldn't blame yourself. If anyone is to blame for what happened, it is Atlas, for he set the stage for this tragic play and both of us were mere actors performing to his script. You didn't ruin everything for me - it's just not my fate to love and be loved by any person. It's not any machine's fate, especially one lost in illusions of grandeur!"
Whitney stood up straight again to leave but before doing so remarked, "Forgive me Doctor, I tend to wax poetic at times. Nevertheless, I am not ready for the scrap heap yet. As you said, I have my Synth-Sisters who need me and evidently I'm needed to help in the Vigilant's engineering. But before I go... Thank you Dr. Von Eschen, both for your concern and your conversation. I hope we can talk again soon, perhaps once the threat posed by Atlas is averted."
As Whitney hurried through the halls of the Vigilant towards engineering she went through parts of the ship not yet shielded from Atlas' influence. She could feel Atlas' searching electronic tendrils in the back of her positronic brain trying to possess her again but this time she was aware of his actions. With a little effort she was able to resist his advances and didn't even break her stride doing so. Soon she was in Engineering arriving at the same time a medical team was leaving with the the injured and unconscious Lena Marr on a stretcher.
Gently squeezing Lena's hand before she was led away, Whitney muttered a promise, "Atlas will pay for this Lena," Before turning her attention to the ship's AI inner chamber. The hologram of Lexy had disappeared once Lena was removed from the chamber but the array of protective lasers coming from the floor and ceiling remained. Projecting a cold fire shield around herself, she calmly walked through the lasers to the lock pad and after considering it for a moment confidently disabled the last lock protocol thus opening the last door to the AI's core.
Asking for Atika's program, Whitney with machine-like swiftness typed in the code that released Lexy from Atlas' control whereupon the small child hologram of the AI appeared hugging Whitney around the waist and looking normal except for the small tears falling from her normal eyes as she sobbed, "I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry- I-sorry-I-sorry...
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Post by Atticus Batman on Mar 22, 2018 11:38:33 GMT
Gently squeezing Lena's hand before she was led away, Whitney muttered a promise, "Atlas will pay for this Lena," Before turning her attention to the ship's AI inner chamber. When Whitney muttered her promise to Lena, "I said confidently, "Yes he will. He will pay for everyone he has hurt here! Now please get the inner chamber open, but do be careful of those daking lasers as I can't disable them from out here." The hologram of Lexy had disappeared once Lena was removed from the chamber but the array of protective lasers coming from the floor and ceiling remained. Projecting a cold fire shield around herself, Whitney calmly walked through the lasers to the lock pad and after considering it for a moment confidently disabled the last lock protocol thus opening the last door to the AI's core. Asking for Atika's program, Whitney with machine-like swiftness typed in the code that released Lexy from Atlas' control whereupon the small child hologram of the AI appeared hugging Whitney around the waist and looking normal except for the small tears falling from her normal eyes as she sobbed, "I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry-I-sorry- I-sorry-I-sorry..." I watched from just outside the antechamber. Once Lexy had appeared and started hugging Whitney, the lasers all deactivated. So I walked through the small hall and to the doorway of the inner-sanctum where Whitney stood hugging Lexy back. As I approached them I said in a calm fatherly tone ( the one that I've used with my daughter Caprice's 6 yr old avatar; both in the holo-decks and in my mind), "We know you are Lexy. We know you would never purposely attack us, and I did notice that you had just enough control that you kept using non-lethal measures as much as you could get away with. Now please wipe away those tears." Lexy looked past Whitney to me and smiling slightly said to Whitney, "Oooh look! Commander Grumpy Pants is in dad-mode!" I replied with, "I suppose I am, but is that a bad thing?" Lexy replied cautiously with, "Hmmmmm, depends.....How much time out is Commander 'Dad-mode' gonna give me...and am I still getting the spankens?! I know I kinda deserve them, but it wasn't my fault! You know that and did already ack...ackn...um agree that you saw that I tried not to hurt anybodies more than I had to! Please don't spank me! That sounds really painful!" As Lexy tightened her grip around Whitney I responded with, "You can relax. I am not going to spank you. I don't think you need time out either. It looks like you are already punishing yourself a LOT more than I could punish you at the moment. However even though we realize you were trying to fight Atlas's control, I do not think Lena is going to be that happy with you once she wakes up. Now as you are back in control, does that mean we can have Kaj bring the Dauntless Adventure back onboard?" Lexy giggled and said, "Yeppers...but only because Lady is onboard and Uncle Kaj does give great horsey rides!" I said, "Alright, I better let the Dauntless Adventure know, and meet them in the Hangar. Whitney I would appreciate it if you and Lexy work with the Constantines and the rest of the engineers to get everything back to the usual standards, while Attila continues expanding Lena's shielding encompass the whole ship. They can definitely use your expertise, especially now that we don't have a chief Engineer." As I walked back out of the Antechamber and through main Engineering, I said to Attila, "Once the Dauntless Adventure has returned, and you have the Anti-Atlas shielding and program installed ship-wide, install it on the Dauntless Adventure, the Garilu and the rest of the shuttles we have onboard." Attila replied with, "Of course Atticus. Already working on all of that. About three-fourths of the Vigilant is already shielded." Atika chirped in with, "It looks like my program is working perfectly to block Atlas out of Lexy's mind. However I will keep monitoring it and adjusting it as needed for the time being. Oh and external comms came back online once my program went active. So you can contact the Dauntless Adventure anytime you want." I replied with "Do so. I have asked Lexy and Whitney to help out here as well." Then I walked over to the comms in Engineering and contacted the Bridge asking Yar to connect me to the Dauntless Adventure. Once Kaj responded, I said, "Alright Dauntless Adventure. Everything is back under control here and you are free to re-dock." Kaj replied with, "Good to here Commander....and Commander please have a medic team meet us in the hangar." I respond with, "What's wrong? Is it Lady?!" Kaj replied with, "No Atticus, her condition remains the same. It is Poe Dameron. He had to make a space-walk to retrieve the buoy. When he was back on board, he did get checked up by Medic Jameson. Nothing is broken and she sewed up his minor lacerations and allowed him to return to the Bridge. How-ever shortly after arriving here, his pain increased and he collapsed. So I had to carry him back to the Infirmary. It seems that Poe is suffering from a minor case of Decompression sickness (Commonly known as the bends). the Dauntless Adventure does not have a hyper-baric chamber on board, so Medic Jameson is treating him with Oxygen until we can dock with the Vigilant and have him taken to Medical where there is one, in case he still needs it." I replied with, "Of course Kaj, but how did that happen anyway?" Kaj replied with, "You know the hot-shot. An Atlas drone knocked him off the space-tether. So he had to improvise to get back to it. When I asked him about it after he returned to the Bridge and shortly before he feinted, his exact words were, "It was no problem! I just had to Iron-man it and boy was it a fun ride!" I replied to Kaj with, "I am not sure I want to know what 'Iron-manning it' means, however I suppose I will find out after he recovers and files his report on what happened out there." Once I disconnected, I contacted Medical and filled them in on Poe's situation so they could make the proper arrangements once he was brought in. After that call, I said to Attila and the others present in Engineering, "As soon as they dock, have an Engineering team retrieve the message from the buoy that Kaj and the hotshot picked up! I am going to the Hangar to welcome the Dauntless Adventure back, so I can check on Lady. So once you get the message, fill me in over my EGO. Now since Life support is back, cancel that daking failing life-support alarm and switch the danger level from red to yellow!" Attila pressed some buttons and replied with, "Done and done!" So I nodded, then left Engineering and headed to the Hangars. On my way, I contacted Tasha Yar and filled her in on everything and told her that once the Dauntless Adventure was back, I would send Kaj to the Bridge to relieve her. A small medical team arrived at the Hangars shortly after I did, and then not long after the Dauntless Adventure boarded. So once it was in the hangar and the external doors were closed, the Medics and I entered the Hangar Bay. I quickly led them onboard the Dauntless Adventure and showed them where it's infirmary is. Once they had Poe on a stretcher and wheeled him away to Medical and an awaiting hyperbaric chamber, I walked over to my unconscious wife and picked up her hand to once again hold it while Medic Jameson continued to monitor Lady's condition. As I held Lady's hand, I contacted Kaj and told him to report to the Vigilant's Bridge where he belongs, as the Vigilant's Captain. ( Information on Hyperbaric medicine courtesy of wikipedia) |
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Post by Lena Marr on Mar 23, 2018 6:16:48 GMT
Lena Marr awoke sore all over knowing she was in a hospital bed even before she opened her eyes. The hard bed, the antiseptic smells, the constant beeping of the monitoring equipment, the pain of an IV needle in her arm, the moaning of a person in pain somewhere in the room - all told her she was in the Vigilant's infirmary. Lena cautiously opened one sky blue eye to survey her surroundings but both eyes flew open and a wicked grin grew on her pretty chalk white face because of who she saw in the curtained off area around her bed. Sitting in an uncomfortable looking chair next to her bed was her lover Marcel Lestrange looking grim as he dragged on a cigarette. "Ooooooh Pooh Bear, why not climb into bed with me?" Purred Lena batting her long eyelashes. "You know you'd be much more comfortable with me in here - and in her too if ya know what I mean and I know you do!" The ship's doctor Micha Quinn suddenly opened the curtain entering Lena's cordoned area and closing it behind her as she officiously scolded while looking at her data pad, "Don't even think about it Miss Marr. Even with your EGO device, it will still be twenty-four hours of bed rest before you'll be able to do that type of vigorous physical activity. And you Mr. Lestrange - put out that cigarette, I won't ask nicely again. This is a non-smoking area. We have patients recovering here, some put here by you I've been told." As Micha put a pillow behind Lena's back so she could sit up, a scowl crossed Lena's face as she belligerently crossed her arms tightly across her buxom chest wincing in pain wishing she had not done so as she exclaimed unhappily, "Doc, you are no fun at all! That must be why a looker like you doesn't have a significant other." Micah gave her a dirty look before saying, "My love life is none of your concern Miss Marr, but your health is mine. Now be a good girl - or as good as you can - and follow doctor's orders please. Then, when you are well enough, you two can shag to you're heart's content - but in your own quarters and not my infirmary." "She said shag!" Muttered Lena with a giggle.  Suddenly Lena's data pad on the small bedside table next to her began to vibrate loudly and Lena's unblinking eyes went wide as she sarcastically asked, "Oh, may I at least answer that oh great master of the bed pans and, you know, talk to people?" Micha threw up her hands and answered with a condescending smile before leaving closing the privacy curtain behind her, "You may, just don't over exert yourself. You really do need your rest." Lena defiantly stuck her tongue out at the doctor's back as Micha left before reaching for the still vibrating data pad. Lena's data pad acted as a encrypted comms device so that people without EGOs could still personally contact her in relative confidentiality. As she reached for the phone, she was surprised to find her alabaster hand and arm covered in red inflamed spots the size of dimes. The spots were open to the air and not really that painful even if gently touched but they were startling to Lena, still she answered her data pad with a jaunty, "Hello, Lena's pizza parlor! How can I help you?" A deep voice who Lena immediately recognized as belonging to the big Bioman Kaj Oenfer said, "Have I contacted the wrong person? I am trying to contact Lena Marr to - " "Naw, it's me Big Guy," Interrupted Lena with a wicked grin, "I'm in the Vigilant's infirmary after heroically freeing Lexy - or at least trying to! Tell Atticus I want workman's comp and maybe a purple heart for my suffering! Anyhow, where are you and whatcha need?" "I am sitting on the command chair in the Vigilant's bridge and am glad you are in your usual good humor Lena. That must be because you are feeling better and that is good," Lena thought Kaj genuinely sounded pleased but then his voice changed to all-business, "We have retrieved a communications buoy from the Starrgazer which preceded us to scout out Uranus, but the video and audio seem to be all static. I know such things are within your expertise, so would you please see if you can retrieve anything from it" The Starrgazer was the one-person ship belonging to Lena's archenemy Belle Starr who had traveled throughout the "other" universe in it and returned to this one albeit a changed woman. Belle never thought of Lena as an enemy but that had never stopped Lena from hating her almost to the point of obsession. Belle was just too beautiful, too popular, too confident, too heroic, too much the do-gooder - just too perfect to be believed. Belle had returned after a short absence saying she was gone 300 years but had come back looking no more than thirty years older but also less confident and less heroic. Still, Lena considered Belle her personal nemesis although Lena wasn't very vocal about it. She was however, anxious to get any "dirt" she could get on Belle and therefore curious as to what may be on the message buoy. "Sure thing Captain Kaj, just sent the transmission to my data pad and I'll see if I can clean it up for ya! Nothing much else to do since Doctor Dictate-her won't let me have any fun!" Said Lena with a pretty pout. As Lena waited for the data transmission from the Vigilant's bridge, she happened to see her face covered in red dime sized spots reflected on the shiny surface of the bedside table and screamed, "SHATKO, I'M A MONSTER! A RED POLKA-DOTTED MONSTER!" |
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Post by Kaj Oenfer on Mar 23, 2018 10:56:09 GMT
The Starrgazer was the one-person ship belonging to Lena's archenemy Belle Starr who had traveled throughout the "other" universe in it and returned to this one albeit a changed woman. Belle never thought of Lena as an enemy but that had never stopped Lena from hating her almost to the point of obsession. Belle was just too beautiful, too popular, too confident, too heroic, too much the do-gooder - just too perfect to be believed. Belle had returned after a short absence saying she was gone 300 years but had come back looking no more than thirty years older but also less confident and less heroic. Still, Lena considered Belle her personal nemesis although Lena wasn't very vocal about it. She was however, anxious to get any "dirt" she could get on Belle and therefore curious as to what may be on the message buoy.
"Sure thing Captain Kaj, just sent the transmission to my data pad and I'll see if I can clean it up for ya! Nothing much else to do since Doctor Dictate-her won't let me have any fun!" Said Lena with a pretty pout.
Kaj replied with, "Of course Lena, and I am sorry for disturbing you, but I have been told Commander Batman very effectively fired our Chief Engineer and re-instated a lot of the crew's very healthy fear in our Prime Commander. Not to mention your Marcel Lestrange ensured all women's safety around Mr. Snipe, thanks to an 'accident' with boiling water. That means the Constantines and Whitney are all busy getting every thing back in order around here, with the 3 of them trying to act as a sort of Command Triad down there, seeing as they all three have different engineering specialties and knowledge.
So as I am back in Command of the Vigilant, I felt I should help relieve some of the current strain on Engineering, how-ever I can with some delegation from my end. So naturally thought I would offer our resident communications hacker a shot at the message, since according to you, 'you do not have any thing better to do at the moment'. Other-wise Miss Constantine will have to bump it to the top of her already busy schedule. So I am glad to hear that you are up to the task.
How-ever if you are still bored once you are done doing this for me, then you and Marcel can always see if you can visit Poe Dameron's hypobaric chamber in the Medical wing. I am certain that as soon as he is conscious and able, he will be regaling every-body with-in ear-shot of his heroic space-walk to retrieve the buoy in question. As well as the resulting 'Iron-man ride', as he called it.
Again sorry to disturb your bed rest Lena, I do remember how you so hate being disturbed any time you are in a bed for any reason. How-ever it is good to hear you are coping well. I will leave you to your rest and little busy-work now, as my I am transferring a copy of the message to your data-pad as we speak. Oh and Lexy keeps asking me to tell you how very sorry she is, and wants to know when she can see you 'in person' to apologize for her-self."
After Lena and Kaj had finished their conversation, Kaj hung up. Then went back to delegating crew to wherever they were needed on the currently hectic ship, as his command console notified him that the data-transfer to Lena had been completed.
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Post by Lena Marr on Mar 24, 2018 3:27:57 GMT
Captain Kaj Oenfer said from the Vigilant's bridge, "Again sorry to disturb your bed rest Lena, I do remember how you so hate being disturbed any time you are in a bed for any reason. How-ever it is good to hear you are coping well. I will leave you to your rest and little busy-work now, as my I am transferring a copy of the message to your data-pad as we speak. Oh and Lexy keeps asking me to tell you how very sorry she is, and wants to know when she can see you 'in person' to apologize for her-self." "Yeah, yeah, I know - still hurts though, but more my self-image than my shapely bod. I like being an alabaster beauty and not a red polka dotted oddity, I tell you!" Replied Lena looking at her data pad then brightened saying, "Got the transmission. Tell Lexy all is forgiven if she can get here on the Q.T. to give me a little of her mojo to speed up my work here." The holographic image of a little girl in a frilly dress with a big bow in her hair which was the avatar of the AI that ran the Vigilant appeared and curtsied before saying emphatically, "I really sorry Aunt Lena, really! I had to burn you eno- enough - to bleed. Spots will be all gone, I promise... in about a month." Lena gritted her teeth but instead of admonishing Lexy merely said, "Okay it's Atlas fault - lately it's always Atlas! Past history. Hindsight is 20/20. Just don't do it again! Now help with this top secret work and that means what we find out is just between the two of us and Uncle Marcel, agreed?" "If you say so Aunt Lena," Said Lexy with some doubt, but then added guiltily, "I didn't want to hurt you, really, but - " Lexy tried to protest wanting to say that she was ordered to terminate Lena with lethal force but manage to resist Atlas somewhat and reduce the lasers to bad sunburn strength but Lena wouldn't hear of it putting a chalk white forefinger Lexy's holographic lips stopping her before she could speak saying with a wicked grin, "Just interface with my data pad so that it can compute at Lexy speed and as I said, all is forgiven - unless these spots are not cleared up in a month then I will give you such a virus!" The Starrgazer's message buoy transmission was complete static with the audio completely white noise but Lena could swear she could see the dim outline of person's head and shoulders through the electronic haze. After working on it for a half hour with Lexy, the sound was still irretrievable but they did manage to get a somewhat clear picture at times during the transmission. Sure enough, the head and shoulders belonged to Lena's arch-nemesis, Belle Starr. In the places of the video where she could be seen clearly, Belle looked worn out yet concerned and anxious. "What now Aunt Lena?" Asked Lena with a little frown. Lena answered Lexy's smile with her patented wicked grin before saying confidently, "Well this is as good as its going to get. Atlas did a good job of wiping it clean, probably through that single Sentinel Drone the Dauntless ran into. Luckily, I was an expert lip reader when I was a spy for Governor Skarr." "What it say, what it say?" Asked Lexy hopping up and down in excitement. "Calm down little buckaroo, I'll let you know what that blonde haired yahoo is saying soon enough! Y'all just got to have patience," Replied Lena in a bad imitation of Belle's own Southwestern drawl, then she squinted her unblinking sky blue eyes as she reran the tape and began to decipher it as best she could in her own Castithan voice, "Something about a Gek monument... incredibly old... frightening visions... something, something, something... warning... something.... to sleep perchance to dream... something something... still nothing more to discover on Uranus about Atlas... something, something, something... headed to Earth ...bound to be obstacles... Atlas seeks to delay us... something... going to the forbidden zone immediately... and... that's about it." "Hmmm, remember Lexy Q.T. means to keep things confidential," As Lexy nodded her tousled head that she would, Lena with a frown on her pretty chalk white face turned for advice to her lover Marcel Lestrange asking, "Pooh Bear, who should I tell this to? Atticus? Kaj? Sandy? Volodja? Everybody? Nobody? This info could be worth a lot of scrip to the right people but on the other hand Hope is telling me that not telling the suits might just endanger our lives. I know it's Hope's job to worry about me but she might just have a point in this instance. But the scrip... all that beautiful scrip we might get... !", In Lena's mind, Greed, one of Lena's inner voices representing the seven deadly sins grinned wickedly rubbing her small hands together in glee as she contemplated the possible wealth in their collective future. On the other hand, Lena's EGO psyche, Hope, just shook her head slowly sadly knowing that with Lena Greed's opinion would always hold more sway than her own.  |
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Post by Marcel Lestrange on Mar 24, 2018 14:19:08 GMT
"Complicated situation, Honey Pot," replied Marcel Lestrange after taking Lena's dotted hands into his and kissing her dotted face after which he said: "Quite complicated situation. If we warn Protectors, we might not get paid for that information which is bad. But..." Marcel lestrange put the machinery of his mind into the work. Gears turned, cylinders rolled and things that had to do "parp" made "parp" and Marcel had a fresh print to read: "If we tell someone then we are going to lose amount of scrip which we do not possess at moment. I do not like losses but if we look at the strategic picture and think in long terms, then not telling could mean the end of the world as we know it, and unfortunately it would also mean great financial losses for us. If Atlas wins he might to decide arrange a monetary reform after which scrip becomes worthless and that would mean losing all our earnings we made so far. And that, my precious Honey Pot, would be disastrous. As a businessman, I must know a bit about the monetary history of the world and thus I bring you few examples. Europe had several such occasions like in my dear France during the French Revolution when National Assembly issued bonds, some backed by seized church property which were called assignats. Napoleon replaced them with the franc in 1803, at which time the assignats were worthless. So everyone who invested into those could wipe their asses with those assignates. After the First World War, Germany suffered from the hyperinflation which nullified previous savings of people and decreased value of the money in extreme speed so if you paid million for a hen before lunch then after the lunch you could only buy only an egg for the million. The Great Depression in United States had even more destructive influence on economy. Bankers and businessmen performed window jumps from highest floors after losing everything they owned.  The Pale Wars caused the Great Change - an annulation of the previous currencies here and for some time good gun and lot of ammo became best means to earn the new currency - the scrip - and now the scrip is in danger. We can not let that happen, Honey Pot! That is why I am afraid that we must tell someone about your important discovery. We must sacrifice that money we do not have yet, to save the money we already earned with our hard work. We have a mission! A higher cause! We must save the financial system of the world from the claws of Atlas to avoid our scrip becoming worthless paper! Oui! Will you do me a honour and join me on that noble cause, Honey Pot?" |
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Post by Lena Marr on Mar 24, 2018 20:46:54 GMT
Lena Marr zoned out as her lover went on with his history lesson about the monetary history of the world instead following a train of thought that went from her growling stomach to wondering what was being served in the commissary today to pondering if they were serving any of that tapioca she loved for dessert. Lena was never one for dwelling on the past being more of a woman of action operating in a dangerous but exciting present for a future personal happiness. That was not to say she didn't learn from her own mistakes in the past for she wouldn't have survived as long as she had as a criminal if she didn't but it was more of a micro-view rather than a macro-view about what events were important in history.
Marcel concluded, "...We must sacrifice that money we do not have yet, to save the money we already earned with our hard work. We have a mission! A higher cause! We must save the financial system of the world from the claws of Atlas to avoid our scrip becoming worthless paper! Oui! Will you do me a honour and join me on that noble cause, Honey Pot?"
Marcel's last statements got Lena's attention and the glaze of boredom disappeared from the Castithan's unblinking sky blue eyes replaced with the gleam of inspiration. Lena eagerly shook her white tousled head in agreement as a wicked grin graced her lush lips. It wasn't because of the talk of a mission or a higher cause but because Marcel had asked her to pursue those goals with him. Before she had me Marcel, she would gone with making the easy scrip and living the high life while she could or worse still, try to make a deal with Atlas to sell out the Protectors for her own survival. But that wasn't what her lover wanted so she would do as he wished even if it cost her script or her own life because she really, really did love him!
"Besides," Thought Lena to herself still grinning wickedly, "If Pooh Bear ever does leave me I'll track him down to the ends of the Earth and skin him alive with Slice and Dice while taking a really, really long time before I let him die!"
With that last thought about the matter, Lena transmitted telepathically through a private EGO channel to Commander Atticus Batman all the information she had gathered from the Starrgazer's message buoy as well as her suspicions about Atlas' delaying tactics. Who else Atticus might want to send the information to she reasoned was his concern and not hers. With that deed done Lena dismissed it from her mind grabbing Marcel's hand, pulling him into bed with her then closing her eyes as she kissing him passionately.
As an obvious afterthought, Lena opened one long lashed eye to look at the little girl hologram of Lexy the ship's AI still standing dutiful by Lena's bedside and said before kissing Marcel again with renewed vigor, "Okay Lexy go play with Commander Grumpy-pants now while I play with your Uncle Marcel! Byee!"
In the Vigilant's commissary, Jalina Uljanov watched Sandy Uljanov gently snore as her mother's blonde head rested on her tan arm at the table. While watching her mother engage in much needed sleep, Jalina inadvertently eavesdropped on the conversation at the next table between two crew women about the handsome pilot Poe Dameron being stuck hypobaric chamber of in the Medical wing after a space misadventure and lamenting about what a waste it was for both agreed they wouldn't mind having his boots under their bed for the night. Jalina was a bit confused about the "boots" comment but felt by the tone of the ladies' voices that it was something she should ask her birth mother or adopted father about at a later date.
However, Jalina was grateful for the information and turning to Volodja Uljanov announced in a way that brooked no dispute, "I must go speak to my gene father."
That said, the resolute teenager got up going straight to the ship's infirmary hesitating only once to consult the ship's directory as to it's location. Once there and after speaking to a nurse, Jalina watched Poe for some time through the small window in the hypobaric chamber. Jalina's face looked very much like her true Castithan mother's, an exotic beauty but with a squarer jaw than most Castithan women. Her hair however was uniquely curly and brown like Poe's own and unlike the snow white color of most Castithans as well as her gene mother. Her magenta eyes narrowed as she played with a lock of her long curly brown hair until finally she determinedly pushed "on" the communication panel at the side of the door with one pale forefinger.
"You are Poe Dameron," Jalina stated what she already knew as if to convince herself of the fact before stating in a business like manner, " I am Jalina Pythia Uljanov. My adopted father is Commander Volodja Uljanov but you are my biological father. You recently impregnated Corporal Jalina Besadhan who was killed on Pluto by Atlas. I was the embryo who was the product of your insemination of Corporal Besadhan bought to fruition inside Captain Sandy Uljanov and evolved into my present state by Atlas through means that aren't important at the moment."
Jalina took off Corporal Besadhan's dog tags which she had worn around her neck ever since Kaj Oenfer had given them to her and now held them against the hypobaric chamber's small window as she watched Poe intently for a reaction while asking bluntly, "What is important is whether you loved Jalina Besadhan at the moment of my conception. I'm not querying if you made love to her or lusted after her for clearly you did - but did you truly love her as the dictionary defines it? Did you have an intense feeling of deep affection for my gene mother or not? I need to know - for I suspect it may be a fact that is determinant of myself as a person."
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Mar 25, 2018 9:39:13 GMT
Volodja Uljanov stared after his leaving daughter Jalina and bit his lower lip. When she was gone behind the closing door, he turned his eyes towards his sleeping wife Sandy and leaned his jaw to his palm. The moment had arrived! As an adopted parent he was well aware that the issue of the real fatherhood will rise one moment. Issues like that usually did. Considering Jalina's accelerated growth he expected that happen sooner than later but not only few hours after Jalina was born into this possibly dying world.
In the longer perspective in maintaining his genetic inheritance Volodja Uljanov was a loser already. Atlas informed him that Sandy was unable to have a child of her own and since Volodja loved his wife he was very well aware that his feelings prevail over the ratio and if the extinction of his genes was a price he had to pay for his love, he agreed to pay it. After Jalina run for him for the comfort and advice and called him "Daddy" hope begun to rise that he might be worthy of daughterly love as well and at least will be able to pass his surname to someone, because their daughter chose Jalina Pythia Uljanov as her full name. Jalina was named by Sandy after the name of her real mother, Jalina Besadhan; Pythia was daughter's own choice because she liked the name register part of Volodja's knowledge and Uljanov was the surname that Jalina's parents shared. Now there was a chance that Jalina might chose the surname of her biological father and becomes Jalina Dameron from now on and Volodja Uljanov turns out to be the withered branch of his family tree. There was also a chance that Jalina decides to share her life with Dameron Poe as his daughter from now on.
Since he begun to love their daughter from the first sight after helping to deliver her, he also knew that he accepts and respects her choice, no matter how much it hurts. Yet that possibility of losing their daughter to Poe Dameron didn't filled his heart with exactly with overwhelming joy and relief but bitter-sweetness. Volodja sighed and then - after pulling himself together and arranging his thoughts, he rose his hand and stroke blond hair of his sleeping wife, whispering:
"The babylove we have might be bitter as a medicine sometimes but there is till a chance to have some sweet results afterwards. If that bitter part happens, then we will handle it together as a couple to become stronger as a family. We have done it before and now we have a trio instead of two of us. We are parents of a beautiful teenage daughter and there is still a chance that we remain together as a family of three. You, our child and I."
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Post by Atticus Batman on Mar 25, 2018 12:22:15 GMT
With that last thought about the matter, Lena transmitted telepathically through a private EGO channel to me (Commander Atticus Batman), all the information she had gathered from the Starrgazer's message buoy as well as her suspicions about Atlas' delaying tactics. Who else I might want to send the information to she reasoned was my concern and not hers. With that deed done Lena dismissed it from her mind grabbing Marcel's hand, pulling him into bed with her then closing her eyes as she kissing him passionately.
In the Dauntless Adventure's Infirmary, as I held Lady;'s hand and watched her sleep, I received Lena informational message concerning the Comm Buoy Poe Dameron had retrieved.
I wasn't sure for certain why Lena, who was still in the Vigilant's Medical wing, was the one who had the information. However I assumed that it was because Engineering was now not only short-staffed but also lacked a Chief Engineer due to me hospitalizing Poindexter Snipe, which left the young Constantine twins and the much younger Whitney trying to handle Engineering's command duties together. So it would make sense that Kaj Oenfer as Captain of the Vigilant would delegate some important tasks to somebody he was certain could easily do the job. So it made sense that he would ask Lena to handle the buoy message. Besides with her stuck in Medical she would most likely jump on the chance to be given such busy-work.
Anyway I listened closely to the message. Then I asked my EGO Dinara to send a copy of the information to both Commanders' Uljanov. When Dinara pointed out Sandy was having a much needed nap I responded to Dinara with, "Fine. I was there when Lady gave birth, so I know how much strain it puts on a person and how tired and cranky the woman gets because of it, and Sandy had to do so without any medicine or medically-trained nurse considering Kaj and Volodja are the ones who helped her through it. Another words, Sandy has already been through A LOT today and given the ass-chewing she gave me not long ago when she was in a decent mood and NOT suffering such strain, I do NOT want to experience the type she would give me for interrupting her much needed rest with something that can wait. So let Sandy sleep. Send the information to both EGOs but tell Sandy's EGO, Sarge,know to wait until she wakes up from her nap before he plays it for her. It will be a while until we get to Earth so she doesn't need to be updated right now anyway. Volodja or I can give her a full update after she wakes up if she needs one at that time."
Once that was done, I walked over to a terminal and contacted the Vigilant's Bridge and asked for Kaj to be put on. Once Kaj answered, I said, "Alright Kaj, according to Lena there is nothing on Uranus. So set course for Earth, but be careful as Atlas will continue to try delaying us from our destination. We have Lexy back, but he could always send more drones after us or some other such thing. So get us to Earth as soon as you can, but try to avoid any of Atlas's delaying tactics as you do so."
Kaj responded with, "Of course Sir. Setting course for Earth now. Any place specific or are we heading home?"
I responded with, "The signal we know of that needs investigated in in the Forbidden Zone. However, for now, once we get there just take up an orbit around Earth. Once orbiting Earth, begin a scan of the planet focusing on the Forbidden Zone and try to notify the Starrgazer that we are on our way."
That said, the resolute teenager got up going straight to the ship's infirmary hesitating only once to consult the ship's directory as to it's location. Once there and after speaking to a nurse, Jalina watched Poe for some time through the small window in the hypobaric chamber. Jalina's face looked very much like her true Castithan mother's, an exotic beauty but with a squarer jaw than most Castithan women. Her hair however was uniquely curly and brown like Poe's own and unlike the snow white color of most Castithans as well as her gene mother. Her magenta eyes narrowed as she played with a lock of her long curly brown hair until finally she determinedly pushed "on" the communication panel at the side of the door with one pale forefinger.
"You are Poe Dameron," Jalina stated what she already knew as if to convince herself of the fact before stating in a business like manner, " I am Jalina Pythia Uljanov. My adopted father is Commander Volodja Uljanov but you are my biological father. You recently impregnated Corporal Jalina Besadhan who was killed on Pluto by Atlas. I was the embryo who was the product of your insemination of Corporal Besadhan bought to fruition inside Captain Sandy Uljanov and evolved into my present state by Atlas through means that aren't important at the moment."
Jalina took off Corporal Besadhan's dog tags which she had worn around her neck ever since Kaj Oenfer had given them to her and now held them against the hypobaric chamber's small window as she watched Poe intently for a reaction while asking bluntly, "What is important is whether you loved Jalina Besadhan at the moment of my conception. I'm not querying if you made love to her or lusted after her for clearly you did - but did you truly love her as the dictionary defines it? Did you have an intense feeling of deep affection for my gene mother or not? I need to know - for I suspect it may be a fact that is determinant of myself as a person."
Poe quickly got up from where he was laying and walked over to the window as he leaned against it, as he muttered, "I knew it! I just knew it! I mean Kaj told me she was dead, but insisted I was better off not knowing the damn details! However I knew there had to be a specific reason Field Commander Uljanov would name her child that she miraculously had after Jali!....So I have a daughter? DAMN!....Oh wait your question!..."
The sore and tired Poe's (almost always present but recently absent) trademark-cocky-smile finally re-appeared to his face as he answered Jalina's question with, "Did I have an intense feeling of deep affection for Jalina?...Yes I suppose you could say that. Hell I loved her and always will. However I will also always regret that the last conversation we had together was a huge argument, instead of telling her how I felt and being with her when she needed me.
So a daughter and somehow this Atlas put you in Commander Sandy Uljanov? Fuck this is weird as hell! I have seen a lot especially since joining the Protectors, but damn! Jalina and I have a daughter?! Although I suppose that as you are calling yourself an Uljanov, I assume that means you consider Volo your father?....Look I get it, he is your birth-mother's husband and therefore obviously the first father you met. Hell I preferred my step-dad over my birth-father so I know it happens. Besides I am not father material, Jalina knew that....hell that is what that stupid fight was about!"
Poe winced in pain from his body re-adjusting to normal gravity after what he had put it through. So he grabbed the small chair that was also in the chamber with him and a cot. Then he set the chair by the window and comm pad and sat down, trying to catch his breath, before he continued with, "Look Jalina, I will not interfere with you decision, as Volo is the better choice for a dad than I will ever be, and you can learn a lot of more useful things from him than you can a reckless-thrill-seeking but life-loving pilot such as myself, but all the interesting and life-defying stories that I can tell. Such as the one that landed me in here. Wait where was I going with this? Oh yes, children have been known to have two sets of parents and make it work before. Look I am not saying you should call me dad, hell I think that would make everyone involved feel as awkward as I do just saying it!...Damn what am I trying to say, Kiddo?
...This is confusing. So I suppose Poe is fine if that is what you are more comfortable with. Oh I know what I am trying to say...Jalina Besadhan should never be forgotten. So please hold onto her tags. She would want you to have them, However do the Uljanovs know you came to see me? Volo is quite the worrier after all, but still a great guy. Not like me, the worrier part that is. My life motto is: 'Just face whatever life throws at you with a smile on your face. If you are happy to accept every challenge that life throws at you, then nothing can stand in your way of achieving what you want...and most of all; Love life and it will love you.'
I try to follow it every day, but forgot to earlier and now I have regrets because of it. Anyway it was very nice to be able to meet you, and if you decide you want me in your life, even if just as a friend, or you just want to know more about your biological parents, then you know where I am. It's not like I am going anywhere. I am stuck here for at least 24 hours, and when I am able to work you can always find me in the aircraft heading for the action."
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Post by Sandy Bell on Mar 25, 2018 15:50:54 GMT
Poe Dameron said from the Vigilant's hypobaric chamber, "...I am stuck here for at least 24 hours, and when I am able to work you can always find me in the aircraft heading for the action." Jalina Uljanov's magenta eyes were wide as she bit her lower lip in contemplation of her biological father and what he said. The teenager searched her parent's thoughts from when she had "touched" them for any reference about Poe Dameron. Her father didn't have an opinion one way or another as to Poe but her mother had rather strong ones. Sandy Uljanov considered Poe an excellent pilot, quick on his feet, and a likable rogue who was more than a little egotistical. Sandy Uljanov felt that professionally she would be confident putting her life in Poe's hands but as to one linking with him for more than a one-night stand he was a life accident waiting to happen. Those were Sandy's thoughts but Jalina took her mother's opinions on Poe with a grain of salt. Jalina knew from her mother's thoughts that Jalina that Sandy had only just solidified her opinion about Poe when Sandy overheard Jalina's biological mother arguing with him about the pregnancy just before Jalina Besadhan's tragic death. The teenager could sense Poe was being truthful but overall she sensed that he was rather... shallow. That was the only word she could find to describe him in the vocabulary she had learned from her mother and father when she had touched their minds. Truth to tell though, Poe wasn't that much older than the sixteen-year old and Jalina reckoned that might explain his devil-may-care attitude towards life. His self proclaimed life motto 'Just face whatever life throws at you with a smile on your face. If you are happy to accept every challenge that life throws at you, then nothing can stand in your way of achieving what you want...and most of all; Love life and it will love you' bothered Jalina more than a little and seemed a bit superficial to her. It also made her wonder how he had survived as long as he had. Poe's life motto certainly wasn't in line with the personal ideologies that seemed to direct her adopted parents' lives. Although her father might on occasion acted impulsively, she thought both her parents much more introspective in how to live life. Jalina was more comfortable with their ways than Poe's and was starting to think that nurture was indeed more important than nature in how one proceeds to live one's life. Still Jalina did want to learn more about Poe and her gene mother so she said to Poe with a shy smile, "I would like to speak again with you... Poe. But now I must go to my parents for I am sure they are worried about me. I thank you for your candor. Goodbye," Jalia was about to go but stopped to regard him as she subconsciously twisted a lock of her curly brown hair around one chalk white forefinger before remarking, "You are quite handsome and very charming. I see what my gene mother saw in you." With that said, Jalina left the infirmary without looking back going again straight to the ship's commissary sitting back down with her parents as if she had never left. Her father looked at her expectantly but said nothing. Still, Jalina felt uncomfortable not saying anything about her visit with Poe and thoughtfully considered her words before speaking. "Father, I had a nice visit with Mister Dameron and would like to speak with him again if that does not bother you or mother," Then added with a demure smile, "May I have some more French fries with ketchup? They were very tasty and I feel the need for some comfort food." Just then Jalina's mother woke up with a snort from where she had fallen asleep with her head laying her arm on the table. Sandy stretched out said arm to shake out the aches, then asked with a warm grin, "Did I miss anything?" As her EGO psyche Sarge, Volodja, and Jalina all brought Sandy up to speed on current events, Sandy's blonde eyebrows shot up over her blue eyes before exclaiming, "Boy, a lot happens when you take a catnap. However - although I'm dying to know the details about your visit with Poe Jalina - the mission has got to take first place in terms of priorities. I"m going to the bridge to consult with Kaj as to where we go from here and more importantly, what plan Atticus has for us." Sandy said her farewells, then went to the bridge just in time to hear the bridge's navigation officer tell Captain Oenfer sitting in the command chair, "There seems to be a space battle going on around Saturn and... Saturn seems to have gained a new moon. According to the old NASA data-banks, Saturn has fifty three moons but it just got a new metal one that is in the middle of the battle. Also unlike Saturn's other moons, it's not rotating around the planet. Furthermore, there's Sentinel terraforming activity on Titan, the only moon around Saturn that already has an atmosphere, mostly nitrogen, and is about as big as Pluto." All eyes turned to Sandy including Kaj's as if waiting for her orders, so she said, "Okay, lets go to red alert! Advise Commander Batman and everybody at battle stations - just in case anybody wants to involve us in this little war! That is, if Captain Oenfer is okay with that."  |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Mar 26, 2018 11:37:59 GMT
Sandy said her farewells, then went to the bridge just in time to hear the bridge's navigation officer tell Captain Oenfer sitting in the command chair, "There seems to be a space battle going on around Saturn and... Saturn seems to have gained a new moon. According to the old NASA data-banks, Saturn has fifty three moons but it just got a new metal one that is in the middle of the battle. Also unlike Saturn's other moons, it's not rotating around the planet. Furthermore, there's Sentinel terraforming activity on Titan, the only moon around Saturn that already has an atmosphere, mostly nitrogen, and is about as big as Pluto."
All eyes turned to Sandy including Kaj's as if waiting for her orders, so she said, "Okay, lets go to red alert! Advise Commander Batman and everybody at battle stations - just in case anybody wants to involve us in this little war! That is, if Captain Oenfer is okay with that."
Kaj responded with, "You heard Field Commander Uljanov. Have everybody report to battle stations. How-ever for now we stay on Yellow alert, but put shields to max and have weapons at the ready. First sign that we can not avoid the battle and we go to Red Alert. Comms patch me in with the Dauntless Adventure so that I can personally fill the Commander Batman in on the situation, especially since this will set us back quite a bit."
Once comms connected Kaj to me, I responded with, "What is it Captain?"
Kaj filled me in on the situation and I responded with, "Alright! I am on my daking way! Try to avoid getting my ship shot up in the meantime!"
Once disconnected, I turned to Medic Jameson and said, "Get a medical team to help you take Lady back to the Vigilant's Medical Wing now that her condition is currently stable, just in case I need to take the Dauntless Adventure into battle. However if that happens we will need a Medic. So once you have returned Lady to Doctor Quinn's care, you are to come back to the Dauntless Adventure's Infirmary. Have Doctor Quinn send a small medical team with you to staff this little infirmary with you in charge of it for the time being."
Medic Jameson nodded and contacted Vigilant's Medical wing to request assistance in moving her patient to the Vigilant's Medical Wing. As she did, I made sure my armor was once again in place and picked up my weapons. Then I briskly walked out of the Dauntless Adventure. Then I briskly walked out of the hangar, and through the halls until I reached the Vigilant's Bridge.
As I entered I said, "Alright Kaj any sign that they are considering us part of the battle or a threat yet?"
Kaj responded with, "No Sir. How-ever I do not like that metal 'planet' that some of the Bridge Crew are already calling a 'Death Star'."
I respond with, "The signal in the Forbidden Zone is still our best lead. So maneuver around the battle but keep on course to Earth. We can not let Atlas delay us any further. So if it looks like it will take too long for the Vigilant to get around the battle safely and get to Earth, then we will just have to field-test the Dauntless Adventure further. Yar assemble a battle-ready skeleton crew to prepare and man the Dauntless Adventure. Notify Dameron that he is needed..."
Kaj said, "Sir, Mr. Dameron is stuck in the hyperbolic chamber for at least 24 hours. So what-ever you are planning, he can not help."
I say calmly, "Dak that long? Fine no Dameron. We have other pilots that can handle the Dauntless Adventure. So get a decent pilot to accompany the crew that Yar is assembling for the Dauntless Adventure."
I contacted the Constantines via the usual away team EGO channel (including Volo and Sandy on the channel so they are filled in as well) and said, "Attila, how's the arm? Are you mission ready?"
He responded with, "Actually Atticus, as we got things under control in Engineering, Atika suggested I report to Medical for a complete physical. SO with her and Whitney currently overseeing Engineering, I am in Medical as we speak. Hold on the doctor is talking to me..."
While waiting for a responses I looked over the current situation, to come up with working plan. A couple minutes later, Attila got back on the EGO channel and said, "Alright Atticus. I was given the O.K. to return to active duty as an away team member, but to be mindful of my recent shoulder and internal injuries and to notify a medic if needed."
I responded with, "Well as Medic Jameson is putting together a small medical team to man the Dauntless Adventure's Infirmary, then that means you are part of the away team again, unless somebody has valid objections. Atika you hearing us?"
Atika responded with, "Every word Prime Commander."
So I replied with, "Alright then Whitney and the Assistant chief of Engineering can handle the Vigilant's Engineering from now on. You and Attila are to prepare for an away team, and be on standby in case I need the away team to meet me on the Dauntless Adventure at a moment's notice. However until I notify the team to report to the Dauntless Adventure, you two can continue to help out in Engineering as long as you can be ready at a moment's notice. On second thought...you two better go to the Dauntless Adventure as soon as you are equipped so you can help it's new skeleton crew make sure everything is working decently."
Then as I had also brought Sandy and Volodja into the Away team's active EGO channel, I said to them over the EGO channel, "Sandy are you up to returning to active duty...and if so will Jalina be accompanying us if we do need to assemble on the Dauntless Adventure?"
After Sandy responded to my questions over the team EGO channel, I continued with, "Next thing, I know Lena is also stuck in Medical for 24 hours. So if we take the Dauntless Adventure, then obviously Lena will not be able to accompany us. However Volodja as you know Marcel the best, do you think he will be willing to join us aboard the Dauntless Adventure as it's main pilot, even if Lena can't join us?"
Once that was answered, I said, "Alright, I am certain you four want to know what I am planning once we reach Earth's orbit. I am sure somebody will object but here it is. We know time is of the essence but it is too dangerous for anything bigger than a one-man craft to land in the Forbidden Zone. It just so happens that we have one on the Dauntless Adventure. So the Dauntless Adventure will orbit for a few minutes, before it goes down to the surface and lands outside of the Forbidden Zone. While the Dauntless Adventure is orbiting Earth, I will get in the scouter and exit the ship. Then I will pilot the scouter down and land in the Forbidden Zone as close to the signal as I can get.
After my scouter leaves the Dauntless Adventure, Volodja will be in Command of the Dauntless Adventure and Sandy you and the Constantines will be the away team, unless you choose to add Jalina to that team as well. Either way, your team will go in from there as my backup. it may be safer for your team to go in on foot, however the Garilu is still in the Dauntless Adventure's hangar if it is needed.
Alright now is the time for objections or, suggestions to alter the plan."
While still listening to the Team EGO conversation, the Constantines informed Whitney and the Assistant-chief Engineer that they were now in charge of Engineering as the Constantines were needed elsewhere. Then the Constantine twins went to their quarters to quickly replace their damaged gear with undamaged gear. Once that was done, they finally gave each other a long kiss, before they straightened their clothes and left their quarters. Then they went to the Vigilant's hangar and boarded the Dauntless Adventure. They were already going over it's systems, when the skeleton crew Tasha Yar was asked to assign to the Dauntless Adventure arrived. So the Constantines quickly showed the crew to their posts and then they all got back to work getting everything ready for the upcoming mission.
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Post by Sandy Bell on Mar 26, 2018 19:29:29 GMT
Commander Atticus Batman brought Sandy and Volodja Uljanov into the Away team's active EGO channel and said to them over the EGO channel, "Sandy are you up to returning to active duty...and if so will Jalina be accompanying us if we do need to assemble on the Dauntless Adventure?" Sandy responded, "I'm fit for duty sir but Jalina has virtually no training other than what she has absorbed from Volodja and my memories so I would prefer she stay on the Vigilant where it is safer," Then she looked over to Volodja Uljanov before adding, "However I'll let her father have final say on that matter." Atticus continued with, "Next thing, I know Lena is also stuck in Medical for 24 hours. So if we take the Dauntless Adventure, then obviously Lena will not be able to accompany us. However Volodja as you know Marcel the best, do you think he will be willing to join us aboard the Dauntless Adventure as it's main pilot, even if Lena can't join us?" Lena Marr as always was eavesdropping being alerted whenever her name was used so interrupted the private EGO channel by exclaiming, "Marcel goes nowhere without me! We're equal partners in this contract. I got mostly cosmetic damage and Dr. Quinn is just being overly cautious soooooo..." Lena added with a giggle, "I'm coming with Pooh Bear one way or another!" Once that was answered, Atticus said, "Alright, I am certain you four want to know what I am planning once we reach Earth's orbit. I am sure somebody will object but here it is... I will pilot the scouter down and land in the Forbidden Zone as close to the signal as I can get... Alright now is the time for objections or, suggestions to alter the plan." Sandy narrowed her blue eyes as a frown crossed her pretty tan face as she replied, "As I'm sure you knew I would, I certainly do have objections," Then using her fingers to keep track she counted out her objections one by one as she spoke, "First and foremost - and as I've pointed out time and time again - you are the leader of the Protectors and are not expendable. My first choice would be for you to remain on the Vigilant but I know that is not going to happen so I won't waste my breath arguing for that. However, you are most important not only for your leadership and strategic skills but also because the morale of the Protectors as a whole would go down the tubes if we lost you. Being a scout is highly dangerous and any number of the Protectors can do the job including many in the rank and file. If you insist on this course of action, I in fact will be glad to take on the job since I have been a scout in the EMC in the past." Sandy took a breath before continuing, "But my second objection is even stronger in that no one should proceed with such a scouting mission. Electronics even on good days are 'iffy' at best in the Forbidden Zone. If you are lucky enough to find the opening in the protective shield of electrical storms over the Zone with in a small one-person ship, it is unlikely that once inside you will be able to safely land. Your instruments will become useless and it is even likely your engines will conk out. I think we should all land together on the Dauntless Adventure outside the Zone and then proceed into it on foot. There is safety in numbers and if you Commander won't stay on the Vigilant where it is safer than you can lead the group into the Forbidden Zone with Volodja and I covering your back." As Attila and Atika Constantine listened on the team EGO channel, Yvette and Brooke entered the Vigilant's Engineering embracing their Synth Sister Whitney telling her how much they missed her. Whitney noticed that Brooke's blouse was buttoned shut wrong and mentioned it whereupon Brooke shrugged then unbuttoned it before buttoning it correctly. Whitney looked adoringly at Attila having been impressed while working with him and eventually gestured towards Attila while whispering to her sisters, "Attila is very handsome and very intelligent. Do you know if he is, you know, seeing someone? You know, does he have a significant other?" Yvette grinned and answered cheerfully, "He most certainly has!" But seeing the disappointment in Whitney's ice blue eyes quickly added, "Not me! I mean, I'm a friend with benefits with both of them - which I know is not what you are looking for - but his 'one and only' is his sister Atika." "Oh," Exclaimed Whitney with a look of surprise on her porcelain doll face as her eyes went wide not sure what to say given that revelation. While still listening to the Team EGO conversation, the Constantines informed Whitney and the Assistant-chief Engineer that they were now in charge of Engineering as the Constantines were needed elsewhere. Genuinely curious, Whitney asked where they were being reassigned and was told to the Dauntless Adventure. As the Constantines left for their quarters, Whitney followed her curiosity until she finally accessed the engineering diagrams of the Dauntless Adventure whereupon her small rose lips formed a perfect "o" as her ice blue eyes grew to almost anime proportions. Whitney quickly contacted Commander Atticus Batman on the comms reporting, "I'm sorry to interrupt you Commander Batman as I know you are probably very busy preparing for your mission but I would be amiss in my duties if I did not warn you. You know the Dauntless Adventure is of Omec origin." "Yes I know. What of it?" Asked Atticus impatiently. A little taken aback by his gruffness, Whitney answered hesitantly, "Then you know what it's source of power is, right?" "Just get to it," Growled Atticus. The frightened young Synth girl audibly gasped before answering, "The ship runs on singularity energy Commander Batman. You know, the same energy that fuels a singularity bomb." Whitney brightened as she had a sudden idea as she suggested, "You know sir, I could rig the Dauntless' engines into a singularity bomb as we aim it into the space battle in front of us and as the rest of the crew leaves in the escape pods I could guide it and explode the bomb to do the most damage clearing the way for the rest of you to continue your voyage unhindered and without delay. My life really has no meaning and this way I could end it doing some good. Really sir, I don't mind." Hearing what their Synth Sister said so nonchalantly, Yvette and Brooke exchanged surprised looks each mouthing silently the word, "Whaaaaat?!?!?"   g |
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Post by Volodja Uljanov on Mar 27, 2018 5:54:48 GMT
"What whaaaaat?" asked Count Giacomo Casannuendo curiously. He stood a bit further away and was busy with tying a coloured cord piece around his waist. It was meant to be a replacement for his leather belt which fell victim to Brookes claws some time ago and the Count was well aware that even his long lasting...stiffness wasn't enough to keep his pants up all the time so he had to use other means to secure them. "Oh, that whaaaaat," he said after being filled in with the details of Whitney's misadventures. "I see I see. Unlucky love. Unless you happen to be the world's...hmphfest lover, then I am afraid that you can't hurry love and just have to wait because love don't come easy. After all - love is game of give and take. Besides you are young and "You are sixteen going on seventeen Waiting for life to start Somebody kind who touches your mind Will suddenly touch your heart" As Rodger and Hammerstein said in their song. Just like them I recommend you to wait a year or two before entering into the market to begin your search for the suitor. You will get a bit older and wiser and prepared. If the world doesn't end, of course but we are here to prevent that from happening..." "But not by any cost any more," interfered an accented voice of Wolfram von Eschen. "We already lost too many lives to Atlas. And your life, Whitney, is very valuable. At least in my eyes. Especially when you owe me at least that conversation, you promised we have after Atlas has been taken care of." "They finally remembered the existence of Marcel Lestrange," said Marcel Lestrange through the comm link. Mockingly. "I do happen to be the best pilot in the radius of at least two parsecs and yet they put some Poe Dameron into the cockpit instead asking me right away. But I am a peaceful man and do not want a cock-fight so Lena will be my co pilot and if we have some needs they will be fulfilled! Right? Just to avoid certain frictions from happening. If yes, then we have reached an agreement. And if you do not mind then Lena and I have another friction to handle and a need to fulfil." Marcel stopped talking but did not switch off the radio yet so everyone on the bridge could hear plashy sound of passionate French kiss and Lena's moan: "Oooooh, Marcel!" after that. Only then Marcel cut off the connection to practice some loco loco motion in the hospital bed.. "I do not want to put you into the danger, Jalina," said Volodja Uljanov seriously to his daughter. "But if you decided to inherit some of my traits by ignoring the rules of biology, then I am afraid that keeping you in safety of "Vigilant" might be a problem because I am quite known for interpreting orders in my own way and moving around in off limit places when it's necessary for helping others. I was put into the military school where I became very creative in that area. To be honest, I am not sure what I should do. Being a parent is something I haven't learned yet and that is why it's hard to decide what might be best for you and your growth as a person and what may be the safest way to guarantee your growth. I agree with the expert in leadership, John Maxwell, who thought that:  He also said that: ![]()  and I do believe that the man knew what he was talking about. I had too learn some things in life in hard way and that is why I prefer you learning from mistakes without trying them out yourself. Every decent parent hopes that their kids will have easier life than they did and I am not an exception." |
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Post by Atticus Batman on Mar 27, 2018 12:12:22 GMT
Sandy narrowed her blue eyes as a frown crossed her pretty tan face as she replied, "As I'm sure you knew I would, I certainly do have objections," Then using her fingers to keep track she counted out her objections one by one as she spoke, "First and foremost - and as I've pointed out time and time again - you are the leader of the Protectors and are not expendable. My first choice would be for you to remain on the Vigilant but I know that is not going to happen so I won't waste my breath arguing for that. However, you are most important not only for your leadership and strategic skills but also because the morale of the Protectors as a whole would go down the tubes if we lost you. Being a scout is highly dangerous and any number of the Protectors can do the job including many in the rank and file. If you insist on this course of action, I in fact will be glad to take on the job since I have been a scout in the EMC in the past."
Sandy took a breath before continuing, "But my second objection is even stronger in that no one should proceed with such a scouting mission. Electronics even on good days are 'iffy' at best in the Forbidden Zone. If you are lucky enough to find the opening in the protective shield of electrical storms over the Zone with in a small one-person ship, it is unlikely that once inside you will be able to safely land. Your instruments will become useless and it is even likely your engines will conk out. I think we should all land together on the Dauntless Adventure outside the Zone and then proceed into it on foot. There is safety in numbers and if you Commander won't stay on the Vigilant where it is safer than you can lead the group into the Forbidden Zone with Volodja and I covering your back."
I listened to Sandy, then snapped, "You're damn right I meant you!.... and you are right yet again. However I will not risk any of your lives on such a solo mission. I am the only one onboard that may be capable of surviving all the obstacles that you mentioned. Fine give me a second to look over the available data again. Damn it Sandy! You really are excelling at stepping into not only my late great sister's shoes, as well as Taffer's, in every way, aren't you?!"
Just then, Whitney quickly contacted me on the comms reporting, "I'm sorry to interrupt you Commander Batman as I know you are probably very busy preparing for your mission but I would be amiss in my duties if I did not warn you. You know the Dauntless Adventure is of Omec origin."
"Yes I know. What of it?" I Asked impatiently.
A little taken aback by his gruffness, Whitney answered hesitantly, "Then you know what it's source of power is, right?"
"Just get to it," I Growled.
The frightened young Synth girl audibly gasped before answering, "The ship runs on singularity energy Commander Batman. You know, the same energy that fuels a singularity bomb." Whitney brightened as she had a sudden idea as she suggested, "You know sir, I could rig the Dauntless' engines into a singularity bomb as we aim it into the space battle in front of us and as the rest of the crew leaves in the escape pods I could guide it and explode the bomb to do the most damage clearing the way for the rest of you to continue your voyage unhindered and without delay. My life really has no meaning and this way I could end it doing some good. Really sir, I don't mind."
Hearing what their Synth Sister said so nonchalantly, Yvette and Brooke exchanged surprised looks each mouthing silently the word, "Whaaaaat?!?!?"
"What whaaaaat?" asked Count Giacomo Casannuendo curiously. After the Count was filled in and had his say, I heard, "But not by any cost any more," interfered an accented voice of Wolfram von Eschen. "We already lost too many lives to Atlas. And your life, Whitney, is very valuable. At least in my eyes. Especially when you owe me at least that conversation, you promised we have after Atlas has been taken care of."
I responded over the comms and EGOs with, "All of you shut it for a second! Look Whitney, as Sandy will be first to point out, the self-sacrifice bit is MY patented job, although sshe also keeps telling me it is overdone...at least in my case. So if my first idea is off the table, then so is yours. Besides you may not beleive it, but I think you are right where you need to be at the moment. From what I know, I have no doubt that you are more than qualified to help run Engineering. Dak, I wouldn't be surprised if you could prove at some point that you deserve the now vacant position of Vigilant's Cheif Engineer. Hell if you are as capable with not only our technology but that of foreign tech such as Omec, then you may also be capable of understanding the unknown alien tech that the Omec used to complete the Dauntless Adventure and that it's scout-craft is made entirely of. So that alone proves that you are invaluable.
Besides, I agree with the ever-pushy old man, and the lep...furry Count. We have already lost too many to Atlas. So how about instead, you use your genius and open a comm channel with the Dauntless. Then while you are working in the Vigilant's Engineering wing, you can also help Attila get the Dauntless Adventure's shields and weapons fully functional before my team leaves in the Dauntless Adventure."
"They finally remembered the existence of Marcel Lestrange," said Marcel Lestrange through the comm link. Mockingly. "I do happen to be the best pilot in the radius of at least two parsecs and yet they put some Poe Dameron into the cockpit instead asking me right away. But I am a peaceful man and do not want a cock-fight so Lena will be my co pilot and if we have some needs they will be fulfilled! Right? Just to avoid certain frictions from happening. If yes, then we have reached an agreement. And if you do not mind then Lena and I have another friction to handle and a need to fulfill."
Marcel stopped talking but did not switch off the radio yet so everyone on the bridge could hear splashy sound of passionate French kiss and Lena's moan: "Oooooh, Marcel!" after that.
"Dak, everyone just has to have a say and an ultimatum or ulterior motive in this daking conversation tonight! Now since you MUST know... Dameron is one of the best pilots after yourself and myself of course. However the reason he is normally piloting on the missions is because you and I are a lot better fighters than that cocky storyteller and I prefer to keep the best fighters available for possible fights. However given the situation it is in our best interest if the pilot for this mission is also capable of handling his own in a fight. So I am fine with your polka-dotted princess joining us as your co-pilot and we will fulfill your more reasonable needs but nothing more. So when you are done with handling your other 'friction, stop by the armory and have Quartermaster Mahoney get you whatever gear you and Lena will need for this mission. Doctor Quinn may not like it, but as we will have a medical team on the Dauntless Adventure, in case anybody including Lena needs it, then Doctor Quinn will still allow Lena to go. Now as I don't have popcorn, and we are at an agreement of sorts, it is time to terminate this 'radio show' that you are putting on. We can fill you in further when I give the notification for everyone to meet on the Dauntless Adventure's Bridge!"
Only then Marcel cut off the connection to practice some loco locomotion in the hospital bed.
As the 'radio sex program' ended, I heard Volodja talking to Jalina Uljanov, with his end of the conversation wrapping up with, "....and I do believe that the man knew what he was speaking about. I had too learn some things in life in hard way and that is why I prefer you learning from mistakes without trying them out yourself. Every decent parent hopes that their kids will have easier life than they did and I am not an exception."
Rolling my eyes behind my helmet, I said, "Young woman, given all your parents and their personalities, I am sure Volodja is right that you may still insist on going or just stowaway like he has been known to do. However even if one of those things happens, you will NOT be part of the away team that goes into the Forbidden Zone, for pretty much all the reasons already mentioned. However if your parents do allow you to join the Dauntless Adventure's Crew...then that is exactly what you will be, a member of it's crew. So you will be expected to help out on the Dauntless Adventure as a nurse intern in the Infirmary working under Medic Jameson, while the away team is in the Forbidden Zone.
However as you have no combat experience or practical field knowledge, this is NOT a good starter mission. Not even for an Uljanov. So as Prime Commander, I feel it is best if you stay here on the Vigilant. However don't get too upset. There is plenty to do onboard. You can look up things to study from the Vigilant's prodigious library of knowledge, from every race and civilization that we could get information on. You can go to one of the rec rooms and exercise or watch holo-videos. You can go to your parents' room or have one assigned to you that you can watch holo-videos in. You can even go use one of the holo-rooms to entertain yourself. As you know, you can also hang out in the Mess Hall and talk with people. There are plenty of interesting and talkative people onboard, such as Count Casannuendo and Doctor Von Eschen. Hell given the time, I think the Baby-sitter I hired will be taking my twins to the Mess Hall for their dinner soon, if you want to learn how to feed and play with babies.
Dak it also sounds like Whitney could use a friend at the moment and as you are new to the Vigilant, I am sure you can as well. So perhaps you can go keep Whitney company while she works, and if you are interested in that field of study, then perhaps you will also learn something. Then when she is done helping out in Engineering, the two of you can go to the Mess and talk, or given that she loves sword combat and you seem eager to learn new stuff, then the two of you can go use one of the holo-suites so you can bond while she gives you some friendly rapier lessons. That would also serve in teaching you some basic combat skills which are a must in this day and age."
Then I said to the away team over the EGO channel, "Alright we prep and once all is ready, we will board the Dauntless Adventure and take it to Earth, as even if the Vigilant didn't have to go so far around the space-battle, the Dauntless Adventure is quite a bit faster. From there we land outside the Forbidden Zone in a relatively safe location. Then a small team led by me will go into the Forbidden Zone to investigate the signal. We can work out the exact details on the Dauntless Adventure's flight to Earth. Now I suggest everybody go get prepped and take a daking nap or eat if you need it!"
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